i've been going to the shrink who only gives me 10-15 minutes once a month to write prescriptions. Finally he suggested a good therapist. I have a fiancé.. I have no people in my life except him and when I take to bed he takes almost full care of me, so social situations are hard for me--no other people. I do fine with clerks and waitresses, just passing acquaintances. But every very time I go to her office for an appt the drapes are closed and no lamps are lit and she's sitting ready to start therapy. Darker than dusk in there. I've seen her twice and I wonder, does she do this with male clients. So I summon up my strength--she is an authority figure--and ask her please to turn on a lamp. It has been same darkness two times. Is Besides I have .this her doctoral thesisto see how clients relate to the lack of light or what? Even with the two lamps her face is still in shadow. She's not bad as a psychologist or social worker or whatevershe isbut has some incorrect psychiatric fallacies. What is she about and what can I do with her? Should I tell her overseeing psychiatrist? I have to go to this office. IBecause she NUDT report to the shrink I like and took a long time to find Medicate acceptors.

5 Replies

That sounds a bit spooky to me, if you feel uncomfortable about the lack of lighting then I think you need to ask her why, and if she could change things to help you feel more relaxed. Doesn't sound conducive to openness,,,,,but maybe this is part of a therapeutic technique, which if it is should be explained to you.

You mention "incorrect psychiatric fallacies", just wondering what you mean by this. Is this affecting your trust in her?

I appreciate it takes a lot to ask these questions especially to an authority figure but best to do it now in the first few sessions. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

That does sound a bit odd. My Therapist office faces the south side it's always SO hot in there,and bright, even though the shades are closed. Then sometimes she has a heater going!! I was like, what is this the menopause room!!! Feels like one giant hot flash in here! She knows I was joking, now, it's just an on going joke with her little heater. Hope you find someone you are comfortable with. It's good you can ask her those important questions, unlike me, if it's not a joke or something sarcastic very had to get the words out. I commend you on your bravery and wanting to address you being uncomfortable.

You actually made me laugh -- the Menopause room. What a phrase you invented for an overheated room. I wanted to wait couple of sessions to ask about the darkness however I needed to see. If she always has the room like that. To myself I call it the Theraoy Seduction Room. I'm sure a male would feel even more uneasy. Thanks I will try to address it but it takes therapeutic time away from my pressing issues.

Thanks for answer. I meant after 40 years of therapy and study, I know a lot about psychiatrics. I told her my diagnosis for years, "and you know many PTSD pAtients were bipolar for years before a PTSDI diagnosis". So she says, "it goes the other way: PTSD can become manic-depression". I disagreed and told her so. WE can have bipolar episodes but over that the anxiety, flashbacks, well I'm not telling you. But she has some good behavioral change ideas for me and in same office with shrink. Not having a car and getting tired out too fast, and Medicare listing practitioners who have disconnected phones, I have to choose who is on the shortest bus route(s).

Thanks again but I am in tears abt my 94 year old mother who just broke out into full fledged senility and my brother, 20 minutes away from me won't take me to see her. She locked me out when she had a real apt but " Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother."

2 years agoHidden

Thanks for explaining Lora - wow with 40 years experience under you belt you will know something!!, and I agree with you about the comment of "many PTSD patients were bipolar for years before a PTSD diagnosis" as this was definitely my brother. I'm sorry that was your diagnosis too. That's great you felt able to disagree with her and put your experience and point of view across!!

I hope you can take what you can from her and what is going to be helpful and not let the seductive ambience distract you!! Haha that was funny. My T had a lovely room but she was a rubbish T so in the end, as long as there is privacy, then does the room make too much difference in your experience?